Re: Tarbes 2024 - Superb!
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 8:39 pm
Class at it's best
My goodness - and here's me just trying to get a bird home.
You gotta hand it to mister Gilbert. The sire of this bird is an exceptional specimen.
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https://www.ukpigeonracing.co.uk/community/viewtopic.php?t=1563
Have to agree Neil. I guess we all have our own aspirations and mine are completely different to his.NeilA wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 10:00 pm I think all you do is be at your best and hope it works on the day
Mark Gilbert will 9 times out of 10 have pigeons in one top 10 of nationals but not always win it , there be other birds amongst the top prizes
You mention Mark Bulled well he won the bbc fougers and the NFC Tarbes in a week
He works full time and races from his garden
Mark Gilbert like everyone else is beatable. He did not have a good season (certainly by his own standards) in the BICC International races last year. It took him to the last International race to actually win the BICC. He was on record as saying the distance pigeons just didn't come into the form he would expect last year. It happens to everyone.Diamond Dave wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 9:32 pm Just looking through the ped of Southfield Darren and cant help but notice all the top names in it.
Gyselbrecht
Alex Rans
Jelle Jellema
Nico Volkens
Batenberg.
Its great for MG, but if Im honest, it gets me thinking - how do "normal" fanciers compete with that?. I couldnt even afford the import cost on one of those birds.
You all agree with Mark Bulled that blood counts when it comes to the distance, well theres not many ppl that can afford the best in Europe to that degree and I wonder will mr Gilberts' sheer dominance have a detrimental effect on distance flying in this country.
Absolutely bang on Mike.MIL wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:32 amDiamond Dave wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 9:32 pm Just looking through the ped of Southfield Darren and cant help but notice all the top names in it.
Gyselbrecht
Alex Rans
Jelle Jellema
Nico Volkens
Batenberg.
Its great for MG, but if Im honest, it gets me thinking - how do "normal" fanciers compete with that?. I couldnt even afford the import cost on one of those birds.
You all agree with Mark Bulled that blood counts when it comes to the distance, well theres not many ppl that can afford the best in Europe to that degree and I wonder will mr Gilberts' sheer dominance have a detrimental effect on distance flying in this country.
If you look at the big 2 results from 2024
Mel King won the NFC Tarbes sending 6
Andrei Bargaoanu won the Barcelona sending 2
In the 2024 Barcelona race there were 8 guys (including the winner) in the top 19 who entered either 1 or 2 pigeons
I would say focus on yourself, dare to dream, and dreams can come true
As for Mark having a "detrimental effect" I would say exactly the opposite actually
I would say his inspirational performances are driving a resurgence in racing at the distance